Lionel Messi was notably absent from Inter Miami's recent training session ahead of their U.S. Open Cup final clash against Houston Dynamo this Wednesday, raising uncertainty about his return to action.
This final presents an opportunity for Miami to secure their second trophy since Messi's arrival at the club, following their victory in the League Cup last month.
Messi had missed Miami's 1-1 draw against Orlando City on Sunday, and Coach Gerardo Martino mentioned that his status is currently a "day-to-day" matter.
It's unclear whether Messi is grappling with fatigue from a demanding schedule since joining the club in July or if he's nursing some form of injury. Martino has alluded to previous "scars" that might be affecting the player, but there's been no specific mention of an injury.
Martino is scheduled to address the media later on Tuesday, and it's anticipated that more clarity will be provided regarding Messi's potential participation in the upcoming game.
During the initial 15 minutes of Inter's training session, which was open to the media, neither Messi nor his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba were seen participating.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has been dealing with struggles since being substituted in the 88th minute of Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on September 7. He sat out Argentina's second qualifier against Bolivia five days later before returning to his club after the international break.
Messi then missed Miami's 5-2 defeat against Atlanta on September 16, with Martino citing muscle fatigue as the reason. He did start the following home game against Toronto but was substituted in the 38th minute, shortly after Alba's withdrawal.
Alba also missed the Orlando game and is doubtful for Wednesday's match.
After the 1-1 draw in the Florida derby on Sunday, Martino remained non-committal about Messi's chances of playing against the Dynamo. He stated, "It is very difficult to put a percentage on his chances because we are taking it day by day. We will evaluate him, and I will first listen to what he says about how he feels. Then we have to assess the potential risks."
Following the U.S. Open Cup final, Miami has five remaining games in the MLS regular season as they strive to secure a playoff spot. On Saturday, they will host New York City FC, who currently occupy the final playoff qualification spot in ninth place, with a five-point advantage over Martino's team.
The U.S. Open Cup, a knockout tournament involving amateur and professional teams, has been contested since 1914, making it the oldest soccer competition in the United States by a significant margin.
